National would use sanctions against those with disabilities who can't find work

[Lilith7]

This really is despicable; they're so out of touch & because of that, intend  to make their situation far more difficult for some of those who are worst off.

Either that - or they know very well & simply don't care.


https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/...olicy.html


"The National Party's leader Christopher Luxon has confirmed Jobseeker beneficiaries with a disability or a health problem could face sanctions under National's plan to get young people off welfare.

It's drawn criticism from one of New Zealand's disabled chief executives.

Workbridge CEO Jonathan Mosen understands the barriers disabled people face in finding work.

"There are so many misconceptions out there about what disabled people are capable of that it can be really difficult to break through those misperceptions so that disabled people can find work in the first place," Mosen said.

But under a National Government young disabled beneficiaries could face benefit cuts.

"Yes, if they refuse to participate in their job plan, we will employ the sanctions," Luxon said.

"It's not that we have a lot of disabled people sitting around twiddling their thumbs. They're desperate to work," Mosen said. 

National's policy would apply to under 25-year-olds who've been receiving the Jobseeker benefit for over a year.

They'd be given a job coach to help them find work and those who fail to follow their coach's plan would face sanctions including benefit reductions. While those that do find employment for at least 12 months would get a $1000 bonus.

"Thirteen-thousand young people have been on a benefit - on the Jobseeker benefit - for over a year," Luxon said.

But those 13,000 Jobseeker beneficiaries Luxon speaks of include people with a health condition or a disability. 

Official data shows only about 8700 18 to 24-year-olds on the Jobseeker benefit for over a year are actually considered "work ready".